Winnie Gilmore Minga

Amory – Winnie Giveta Nichols Gilmore Minga, 94, passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at Merit Health Gilmore Memorial Hospital in Amory, MS. Born on August 19, 1922, in Itawamba County, she was a daughter of the late Wiley Clifford and Willie Ethel Roper Nichols.

Winnie graduated from High School with the Itawamba Agriculture High School Class of 1937. Growing up in a large family, she learned the value of family and working hard. She married Russell Gilmore and they were blessed with two children. Winnie was an entrepreneur who, with her husband’s help, opened a successful business, Gilmore Shoe Store in 1951. Her husband Russell passed away in 1963 and Winnie continued to run the successful business, despite all the challenges life put before her. Her attention to details and her excellent customer service, in her business, were part of what helped it be so successful. Later in life, she married Ray Minga, who helped her continue to run her business until it closed in 1992.

Above all, she loved the Lord and her family dearly. Winnie was a faithful member of First Baptist Church. She was a wonderful person to the core, who always worked hard, persevered through hard times, and never gave up. With a huge heart of compassion, she was always giving, putting other people first, and helping people in times of need. A woman who was very involved in the community, she was a founding member of Beta Sigma Phi service sorority. She loved singing church hymns and studying God’s word in Sue Brown’s Sunday School Class. When it came to playing cards, she loved Canasta and Bridge. Of all things in life, her most enjoyment came from spending time with her beloved children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The wonderful memories she gave her family will be cherished always and she will live on forever in their hearts.

Winnie is survived by her son, Freddy Russel Gilmore (Brenda), Amory; daughter, Jean Gilmore Sanders (Danny), Amory; grandchildren, Jill Sanders Hellen (Tim), Kris Sanders (Jennifer), David Gilmore (Jessie); great-grandchildren, Hadley Gilmore, Chloe Sanders, Jake Hellen, Conner and Caden McLaughlin; sister, Clytee Barber, Tupelo, Corrine Bolton, Southaven, and Geraldine Sessions, Mantachie; brother, Olen Nichols, Mantachie; several nieces and nephews; special friends, the family of Oak Tree Nursing Center.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Russel Gilmore and Ray Minga.

Her Funeral Service will be at 4 PM, Sunday, March 12, 2017 at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory, with Dr. Allen Simpson officiating. Burial will follow in Haughton Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Kris Sanders, David Gilmore, Johnny Frank Turman, Tommy Cole, and family and friends.

Visitation will be from 2:00 – 3:45 PM Sunday, at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be shared with her family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.